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THE NEW ONE (3.05) can put the squeeze on young gun Melon as he bids for his fourth victory in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham today. Cheltenham – Seven of this field met a fortunate winner last time over two miles but in the BetVictor Gold Cup last month was always going to do better when stepped up to which was won by He will make this sort of trip. a bold bid to follow up but would have won in another stride and he looks the most likely Doncaster – to come out best of that septet. Paul Nicholls is made an impressive debut for the leading trainer in this race having won it four Nicky Henderson when making all at Warwick. times in the past nine years and could make it That form has since been franked in no uncertain five with He faces a tough terms by both the third and fourth scoring since. task off top weight but a breathing operation He could easily get an uncontested lead and over the summer seems to have done the trick prove difficult to pass. jumped judged on his second to Whisper and then victory well and was not really pressed to score cosily at at Haydock. Newcastle and probably has more to offer but
does have to concede weight to the selection. Doncaster – All four can be given some sort of chance but Cheltenham – Last year may just edge it. He has won three of his gave 8lb and eight starts over fences but it was his fourth to a three-and-a-half length beating in this race Total Recall in Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy Chase third). He not only has a fitness that stands out. who was a decent advantage over his rival but only has to give him hurdler, is highly regarded by his trainer but won 6lb this time. He has shown his wellbeing with a match on his chasing debut and was put in success in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and was his place at Plumpton. The step up to this trip may not beaten far in the Greatwood Hurdle. The see him in a better light. unexposed is likely to pose the main threat
after his facile victory in a Grade Two at Down Cheltenham – It is quite possible Royal. He also posted a couple of placed that there is more to come from the performances in Grade Ones last season and is brave front-running who steps up the one horse in the line-up with potential. in trip but does look vulnerable conceding weight, so Ben Pauling’s Doncaster – has gets the nod. He is proven at this distance and been given a chance by the still looked very green when scoring at Southwell. handicapper as he now sits on a mark 3lb lower He hails from a yard in sparkling form. Colin Tizzard than when winning this race in 2015. He was fourth clearly thinks a lot of who was 12 months ago and made a promising reappearance for Alan King at Warwick. It is quite clear that has the ability to win a race of this calibre but he does not always deliver. He could today but that is the chance you take. Top weight and this trip may find out but the return to this distance may help who ran a shocker last time after an impressive Aintree victory. Cheltenham – A competitive renewal and is the nap given her low weight. She has improved with each run and did well to score on her Warwick return over what was probably an inadequate trip. She has been raised 5lb but looks a progressive sort, so should take that in her stride. is closely matched with the selection and should give a good account. could offer more of a threat. Her second to the very talented On The Blind Side in a Grade Two here last month was given a boost when the winner scored easily again at Sandown. Lady Karina remains on a very attractive mark and should win.